Tech Updates

Tech Collection: Special Edition

25-05-29

Hello Everyone,

There are some specifics for you guys who are not the usual classroom-type teacher. Note: Generally speaking, if you only have personal-type devices you're responsible for, you do not need to book a time slot to check out with me - as long as every device you do turn in is accompanied by its power cable.

Also, if you have a district cell phone, refer to the Device Prep Instructions and fill out the Passcode Backup form to make sure it and you are ready for the summer.

Paraeducators:

You will be turning in your devices without boxes – I don’t have enough! If you just have the one device feel free to drop it off on the equipment collection shelves (along with the power module) whenever it's convenient.

Music: Kay, Myriam and Torrye

You should have a box with your name on it and it is for your personal-type devices as well as any presentation equipment. Kay and Torrye, to state the hopefully obvious, you are not expected to unmount and turn in your projectors. 🙂 External disc drives can go in your box as well.

Wellness: Erin, Sai and Tara

You should have a box with your name on it and it is for your personal-type devices as well as your presentation equipment. If you want to use your projector again next year, keep it in your office. If you no longer want it, turn it in along with your box - no, don’t try and make it fit in the box!! Leave it next to the box.

Library: Kristina and Laurie

You have a box labeled Library. This box is for personal-type devices as well as any other library tech you don’t want to be responsible for over the summer. Any presentation equipment used with the TV should be put in the box as well. Leave the library chromebook cart plugged in where it is.

Student Services: Alex, Jason, Julea, and Crystal

You have a box labeled Sped Nation. This box is for your department’s personal-type devices and the student iPads. The student chromebooks should stay in their cabinet.

Kitchen: Heather

Since your equipment is being updated/replaced/maintained by the DO ITs, keep your equipment in your area. If you have any tech equipment that’s been retired that you would like to get rid of, let me know and I’ll bring a box to collect it.

Office: Sara, Allison, Ilyse, Sam, Penny, Kalinda, and Ashley

You have a box labeled Office. This box is for any Office, HelpCounter, and personal-type laptops and/or iPads assigned to various people/areas in and around the main office. I’ll be delivering it to you and any equipment you are currently using can be added to the box as well.

If you want to check any devices out for the summer, bring bring them down to the library so I can scan them.

Let me know if you have any questions or concerns.

Tech Collection: Classroom Edition

25-05-29

Hello Everyone,

As you look ahead to packing up your classroom for the summer, know/remember that turning in your classroom technology will be part of that. As always, this allows me to inventory, update, clean and store it. Some of it will come back to you in the fall, some of it may be replaced with new devices and some of it will be going away.

For some of you, this will be the first time turning in classroom technology, but for others, a repeat performance. Still, we're always trying to improve the process and the tech landscape is never quite the same - there are always changes from year to year. You will be responsible for the instructions actually written below, not the ones you remember or guess at. 😉

Overview:

Everything must be checked in before you leave
You can then check devices out for the summer, but they need to be present for scanning
Be sure any devices you check in are backed-up and ready for re-imaging - just in case
Reserve a time slot at https://tcps-check-out.youcanbook.me

I've attached device-prep instructions. There are separate instructions for Windows computers (both desktops and laptops), and iPads.

Device-specific instructions:

TV:

Place the remote in your box.
Leave HDMI cables connected to the TV.
Leave your TV in your room.
⚠️Note the TV # so you can confirm it with me.

Document camera:

Put the power cable and any remote and/or remote holder you might have into the small zip-top bag that came with it.
Put it all in your box.

Staff Laptop/Chromebook:

If you want to check it out for the summer, bring it with you when you meet with me.
If you will be leaving the laptop at school, or not returning to Trillium Creek, turn it in with your other classroom technology (don't forget the power cable!).
Put it all in your box.
⚠️Include these connecting cables if you have them: USB, audio, etc.

iPad:

If you want to check it out for the summer, bring it with you when you meet with me.
Turn it in WITH THE POWER BLOCK AND CHARGING CABLE. The cable should be labeled as belonging to TCPS. If you find any others when cleaning up, please return them to me as well.
⚠️Be sure to turn off any restrictions you've added, remove any passcode and sign out of iCloud and Find My iPad.
Put the device, power block and charging cable in the zip-top back that came with it.
Put it all in your box.

Apple TV:

Put the device, power cable and remote in the zip-top bag that came with it.
Put it all in your box.

Desktop:

Leave it in your classroom, even if you are changing classrooms or do not plan to use it next year.

Student Devices:

Turn in any students iPads you have as well as the charging station - put the iPads in your box if they’ll fit.
Keep any and all headphones in your classroom.
Plug your chromebook cart in in your classroom, but make sure it can be unplugged and relocated if needed.
If you find any other/extra chromebooks or power modules when cleaning up, return them to me with the rest of your tech.

Just in case any of these are still out there:

Projector:

Put the cables and remote in the case labeled with your name. All connected cables should be included: VGA, short HDMI, audio, and/or Ethernet. (You do not have to bag these cables.)
Leave the case next to your box.

Digital Camera:

Put the device, battery charger, SD card and sync cable in its zip-top bag.
Turn it in to the library.

External Disc Drive:

Put the device in its pouch.
Turn it in to the library.

Bring your tech - including the tech you’re checking out for the summer - to the Equipment Collection table in the Library during your reserved time slot and we will get everything processed.

Let me know if you have any questions or concerns about the process and/or expectations.

Tech Collection: Special Edition

24-05-28

Hello Everyone,

Paraeducators:
You will be turning in your devices without boxes – I don’t have enough! If you just have the one device feel free to drop it off on the equipment collection shelves (along with the power module) whenever it's convenient.

Music: Kay, Logan and Myriam
You should have a box with your name on it and it is for your personal-type devices as well as any presentation equipment. Kay and Logan, to state the hopefully obvious, you are not expected to unmount and turn in your projectors. 🙂 External disc drives can go in your box as well.

Wellness: Erin, Sai and Tara
You should have a box with your name on it and it is for your personal-type devices as well as your presentation equipment. Your projector won’t fit in the box (no, don’t try and make them fit!!) but it should be turned in along with the box.

Library: Kristina and Laurie
You have a box labeled Library. This box is for personal-type devices as well as any other library tech you don’t want to be responsible for over the summer. Any presentation equipment used with the TV should be put in the box as well.

Student Services: Alex, Jason, Julea, and Crystal
You have a box labeled Sped Nation. This box is for your department’s personal-type devices; if you can fit your student devices in as well, feel free. Let me know if another box or two will be necessary to also help contain the various presentation devices y’all have as well.

Kitchen: Andrea
Since your equipment is being updated/replaced/maintained by the DO ITs, keep your equipment in your area. If you have any tech equipment that’s been retired that you would like to get rid of, let me know and I’ll bring a box to collect it.

Office: Sara, Jackie, Erin, Ilyse, Sam, Penny, Kalinda, and Ashley
You have a box labeled Office. This box is for any Office, HelpCounter, and personal-type laptops and/or iPads assigned to various people/areas in and around the main office. I’ll be delivering it to you and any equipment you are currently using can be added to the box as well.

Please fill out Summer Check-Out forms for any devices you’re planning to keep over the summer.

Let me know if you have any questions or concerns.

Tech Collection: Classroom Edition

24-05-28

Hello Everyone,

For some of you, this will be the first time turning in classroom technology, but for others, a repeat performance. Still, we're always trying to improve the process and the tech landscape is never quite the same, so there are some slight changes from previous years. You will be responsible for the instructions actually written below, not the ones you remember or guess at. 😉

Overview:

Everything must be checked in before you leave - use the Tech Check form (see attached) to help you make sure you have everything
You can check items out for the summer, just note that in the Summer Checkout form
Be sure any devices you check in are backed-up and ready for re-imaging
Reserve a time slot at https://tcps-check-out.youcanbook.me

I've attached device-prep instructions. There are separate instructions for Dell computers (both desktops and laptops), and iPads.

Device-specific instructions:

TV:

Unplug HDMI cables and put them in your box.
Place the remote on the cart shelf.
Leave your TV in your room.
⚠️Note the TV # on the Tech Check form.

Document camera:

Put the power cable and any remote and/or remote holder you might have into the small zip-top bag or red draw string bag that came with it.
Put it all in your box.

Staff Laptop/Chromebook:

If you want to check it out for the summer, you need to add it to your Summer Checkout form and leave it for me or Janna to sign.
If you will be leaving the laptop at school, or not returning to Trillium Creek, turn it in with your other classroom technology (don't forget the power cable!).
Put it all in your box.
⚠️Include any other connecting cables: HDMI, USB, audio, etc.

iPad:

If you want to check it out for the summer, you need to add it to your Summer Checkout form and leave it for me or Janna to sign.
Turn it in WITH THE POWER BLOCK AND CHARGING CABLE. The cable should be labeled identifying which iPad it belongs to. If you find any others when cleaning up, please return them to me as well.
Be sure to turn off any restrictions you've added, remove any passcode and sign out of iCloud and Find My iPad.
Put it all in your box.

Apple TV:

Put the device, power cable and remote in the zip-top bag with your name on it.
Put it all in your box.

Desktop:

If you are using a desktop computer as your main classroom device, leave it in your classroom, even if you are changing classrooms. If you will be changing classrooms Krista, Dave or I will move the computer.

Student Devices:

Turn in any small device sets along with your classroom technology.
Be sure to include all power supplies in the bankers box, (keep iPad charging stations and headsets/headphones in your classroom)
Put as much of it in your box as will fit.
Keep your full-class sets of headphones in your classroom.
Leave your chromebook cart plugged in in your classroom.

Just in case any of these are still out there:

Projector:

Put the cables and remote in the case labeled with your name. All connected cables should be included: VGA, HDMI, audio, and/or Ethernet. (You do not have to bag these cables.)
Leave the case next to your box.

Digital Camera:

Put the device, battery charger, SD card and sync cable in its zip-top bag.
Turn it in to the library.

External Disc Drive:

Put the device in its pouch.
Turn it in to the library.

Bring your tech to the Equipment Collection table in the Library during your reserved time slot and we will get everything processed.

Let me know if you have any questions or concerns about the form, the process, the timing, anything.

Tech Update #3b - Tech Collection: Special Edition

23-05-31

Hey Everyone,

Wellness: Erin/Adrienne, Sai and Tara
You should have a box with your name on it and it is for your personal-type devices as well as your presentation equipment. Your projector won’t fit in the box (no, don’t try and make them fit!!) but it should be turned in along with the box.

Library: Emma and Laurie
I am planning to set up a Library box for you. This box is for personal-type devices as well as any other library tech you don’t want to be responsible for over the summer - i.e. scanners? chrome recovery USB drives? Any presentation equipment used with the TV should be put in the box as well.

Kitchen: Andrea
We’ve never done this before, but I can set you up with a Kitchen box. You would then be invited to put any of the kitchen devices you want in it. I would take care of storing everything and then updating and returning it in the fall. You would be responsible for any devices that remain stored in your space. Let me know if this interests you.

Office: Sara, Jackie, Ilyse, Sam, Penny, and Kalinda
I am planning to set y’all up with an Office box. This box is for any Office, HelpCounter, and personal-type laptops and/or iPads assigned to various people/areas in and around the main office. I’ll be delivering it to you and any equipment you are currently using can be added to the box as well.

Please fill out Summer Check-Out forms for any devices you’re planning to keep over the summer.

Let me know if you have any questions or concerns.

Tech Update #3a - Tech Collection

23-05-30

Hey Everyone,

For some of you, this will be the first time turning in classroom technology, but for others, a repeat performance. Still, we're always trying to improve the process and the tech landscape is never quite the same, so there are some slight changes from previous years. You will be responsible for the instructions actually written below, not the ones you remember or guess at. 😉

Overview:

Everything must be checked in before you leave - use the Tech Check form (either online or print [see attached]) to help you make sure you have everything
You can check items out for the summer, just note that in the Summer Checkout form
Be sure any devices you check in are backed-up and ready for re-imaging
Reserve a time slot at https://tcps-check-out.youcanbook.me

I've attached device-prep instructions. There are separate instructions for Dell computers (both desktops and laptops), and iPads.

Device-specific instructions:

TV:

Unplug HDMI cables and put them in your box.
Place the remote on the cart shelf.
Leave your TV in your room.
⚠️Note the TV # on the Tech Check form.

Document camera:

Put the power cable and any remote and/or remote holder you might have into the small zip-top bag or red draw string bag that came with it.
Put it all in your box.

Staff Laptop/Chromebook:

If you want to check it out for the summer, you need to add it to your Summer Checkout form and leave it for me or Janna to sign.
If you will be leaving the laptop at school, or not returning to Trillium Creek, turn it in with your other classroom technology (don't forget the power cable!).
Put it all in your box.
⚠️Include any other connecting cables: HDMI, USB, audio, etc.

iPad:

If you want to check it out for the summer, you need to add it to your Summer Checkout form and leave it for me or Janna to sign.
Turn it in WITH THE POWER BLOCK AND CHARGING CABLE. The cable should be labeled identifying which iPad it belongs to. If you find any others when cleaning up, please return them to me as well.
Be sure to turn off any restrictions you've added, remove any passcode and sign out of iCloud and Find My iPad.
Put it all in your box.

Apple TV:

Put the device, power cable and remote in the zip-top bag with your name on it.
Put it all in your box.

Desktop:

If you are using a desktop computer as your main classroom device, leave it in your classroom, even if you are changing classrooms. If you will be changing classrooms José, Dave or I will move the computer.

Student Devices:

Turn in any small device sets along with your classroom technology.
Be sure to include all power supplies, iPad charging stations and headsets/headphones.
Put as much of it in your box as will fit.
Keep your full-class sets of headphones in your classroom.
Leave your chromebook cart plugged in in your classroom.

Just in case any of these are still out there:

Projector:

Put the cables and remote in the case labeled with your name. All connected cables should be included: VGA, HDMI, audio, and/or Ethernet. (You do not have to bag these cables.)
Leave the case next to your box.

Digital Camera:

Put the device, battery charger, SD card and sync cable in its zip-top bag.
Turn it in to the library.

External Disc Drive:

Put the device in its pouch.
Turn it in to the library.

Bring your tech to the Equipment Collection table in the Library during your reserved time slot and we will get everything processed.

Let me know if you have any questions or concerns about the form, the process, the timing, anything.

Tech Update #2

23-08-22

Hey Everyone,

I know y'all aren't officially back yet, but I did want to keep you updated. There are instructions in here as well, so don't skim so fast that you miss them. :)

Summer Checkouts

Remember that any equipment you checked out over the summer is due back to me on Tuesday, August 23. This shouldn't be a problem, since your "real" laptop is ready to go and that's the only device that should be needed for the professional development activities this week.

Your Equipment

Teachers

I will be delivering boxes on Monday, so your technology will be in your room waiting for you on your first day - aside from summer checkouts and/or student equipment.

Paraeducators

You'll be getting chromebooks again this year. They'll be in the office available for pickup.

**Let me know if you're missing something you wanted - I do have iPads and AppleTVs available. Also let me know if you got something (back) that you didn't want.

Presentation Station

Now that you have your equipment, go ahead and set up your presentation station. Everyone has a TV now, so the setup should be pretty straightforward. Let me know if you're missing any of the cables you need: 10ft HDMI cables, USB cable, etc.

Bankers Box

When you're done, you have two choices regarding the box itself. One option is to bring it back to me so I can flatten it and store it till we need it again in the spring.

The other option is to keep it in your room. If you choose this option, you may not use it for extra storage in a way that results in the box getting beaten up and destroyed. It would be a good place to store iPad, AppleTV, and/or Doc Cam storage bags.

Cart Locations

Most of you parked your chromebook cart in your classroom last year. Due to the scarcity of outlets on the porches I encourage you to continue doing so. Of course, there isn't exactly an excess of outlets in the classrooms, so I recommend arranging your classroom around the cart rather than trying to shoehorn it in after falling in love with a desk layout.

Student Devices

This week I'll double down on processing student equipment - K-2 iPads, Resources iPads, new chromebooks, "old" chromebooks. I will take care of any chromebook sorting and relocation that is necessary, so when your chromebook is unlocked and open for business it will have your current students' chromebooks in it. The chromebooks will again have students' names on them, so there should be no confusion about whose chromebook is whose.

I will get everything ready as soon as I can, but do not plan on having access to the chromebooks any sooner than the second week of school.

Contacting Me

Finally, how to reach out to your friendly neighborhood IT. I carry my phone on me at all times but not all lines of communication are created equal when it comes to contacting me.

Email - Emailing me is your best bet, as I can answer an email even if I'm in a meeting or working in a classroom full of students. I also can still get email even when I can't get cell calls or texts.
Tekmee - Tekmee tickets are another great way of getting tech help. All the ITs have access to them so you're tapping into a huge wealth of knowledge. Also, when you submit a ticket, I get an email alerting me to it - two birds, one stone!
Phone - I have a personal extension (x7076) that's a direct in-dialing number, so you can call 503-673-7076 and both schools have IT extensions (TCPS - x5966, RRMS - x5594). Feel free to use whichever one works best for you - all three extensions can monitor the other extension so whatever phone I'm at will ring. Calls via my extension connect differently and in such a way that I often get better reception than with calls to my cell number.
Text - None of the extensions above receive texts. To text me, put my email address in the "To" field instead of a phone number. Be sure and include your name in the text because otherwise "who is this?" is going to be one of my first questions.
- If you tell me to text you and give me your mobile number, I will use a carrier lookup website and a carrier email domain website to figure out what your cell phone's carrier and therefore email address is. I will then text you from Google Mail.
- My mobile phone is configured to block texts from numbers not already in my contacts list. So if you get my mobile number from anyone other than me, I'm not going to receive anything you text me.
Chat - NEW THIS YEAR! Sending me a message through the Chat section of Gmail will come through on my computer and on my phone. This option has the same benefits as email and will likely end up nearer the top of this list next year.
- **The feature itself is not new this year, but it's new to my communication toolbox.

My email signature has my contact info in it for future reference.

Finally

So, that's where we are with tech. Previous and future tech update emails can be found on the Tech Center website for quick and easy reference and there's a good chance I'll email you again before school starts with further updates. Until then, let me know if you have any questions or concerns and enjoy the last days of your summer!

Tech Update #1 - Welcome

22-08-14

Hey Everyone,

I hope you have enjoyed your summer so far and have plans to enjoy the last days to their fullest. I just wanted to give you a heads-up about what'll be happening with tech over the next few weeks. There are instructions in there as well, so don't skim so fast that you miss them. :)

Summer Checkouts

Remember that any equipment you checked out over the summer is due back to me on Tuesday, August 23. This shouldn't be a problem, since any laptops checked were summer-only loaner devices and all official staff devices will be ready by then. And, yes, you do need to return your summer loaner.

My Plan

Monday was my first day back after the summer break and I got everything pulled out of storage and staged for processing. I started updating computer images and reimaging laptops. Next I'll continue updating images, continue reimaging computers, process and distribute new TVs (yay!), charge and configure iPads and possibly update firmware/operating systems on projectors, document cameras, and AppleTVs ... among other things. Ultimately, I also have a pile of brand new chromebooks to enroll and process as well as redistributing "old" chromebooks based on student movement.

There are many factors that will influence whether things get done or not. Some of them are within my control, some are within your control and some are outside everybody's control. Ultimately, there is and will be a lot of equipment scattered around the Water Porch. I am working on and I will be delivering it to you. Please resist the temptation to "help" me by picking your equipment up - I won't actually find that helpful at all. :)

Your Equipment

Should all things go to plan, your assigned equipment will be ready and waiting for you in your classroom on your first day back. Your bankers box will not, of course, contain any devices checked out for the summer. When summer-checkout equipment is ready will depend very much on when it gets turned in.

Paraeducators, your assigned equipment will also be ready for you on your first day back, but the pickup location is as yet undetermined.

Cart Locations

Contacting Me

Finally, how to reach out to your friendly neighborhood IT. I carry my phone on me at all times but not all lines of communication are created equal when it comes to contacting me.

Email - Emailing me is your best bet, as I can answer an email even if I'm in a meeting or working in a classroom full of students. I also can still get email even when I can't get cell calls or texts.
Tekmee - Tekmee tickets are another great way of getting tech help. All the ITs have access to them so you're tapping into a huge wealth of knowledge. Also, when you submit a ticket, I get an email alerting me to it - two birds, one stone!
Phone - I have a personal extension (x7076) that's a direct in-dialing number, so you can call 503-673-7076 and both schools have IT extensions (TCPS - x5966, RRMS - x5594). Feel free to use whichever one works best for you - all three extensions can monitor the other extension so whatever phone I'm at will ring. Calls via my extension connect differently and in such a way that I often get better reception than with calls to my cell number.
Text - None of the extensions above receive texts. To text me, put my email address in the "To" field instead of a phone number. Be sure and include your name in the text because otherwise "who is this?" is going to be one of my first questions.
- If you tell me to text you and give me your mobile number, I will use a carrier lookup website and a carrier email domain website to figure out what your cell phone's carrier and therefore email address is. I will then text you from Google Mail.
- My mobile phone is configured to block texts from numbers not already in my contacts list. So if you get my mobile number from anyone other than me, I'm not going to receive anything you text me.
Chat - NEW THIS YEAR! Sending me a message through the Chat section of Gmail will come through on my computer and on my phone. This option has the same benefits as email and will likely end up nearer the top of this list next year.
- **The feature itself is not new this year, but it's new to my communication toolbox.My email signature has my contact info in it for future reference.

Finally

So, that's what's happening with tech over the next few weeks. I'll email you again before you start with updates and/or further details regarding your equipment - emails will also be posted to the Tech Center website for quick and easy reference. Until then, let me know if you have any questions or concerns and enjoy the last weeks of your summer!

Tech Update #5 - End of the Year

22-06-09

Hello Everyone,

As you look ahead to packing up your classroom for the summer, remember that turning in your classroom technology will be part of that. As always, this allows me to inventory, update, clean and store it. Some of it will come back to you in the fall, some of it may be replaced with new devices and some of it will be going away. Remember:

Everything must be checked in before you leave - use the Spring Tech Check form (photo reference guide attached below)
You can check items other than your laptop out for the summer, but you will need to turn in a check-out form detailing which devices (form attached at end of checklist and separately)
If you want to check out a laptop for the summer, fill out the Summer Laptop request form
Be sure any devices you check in are backed-up and ready for re-imaging
Reserve a time slot at https://tcps-check-out.youcanbook.me

I've attached device-prep instructions. There are separate instructions for Dell computers (both desktops and laptops), MacBooks and iPads.

For some of you, this will be the first time turning in classroom technology, but for others, a repeat performance. Still, we're always trying to improve the process, improve communication, so there are some slight changes. Here are device-specific instructions:

Projector:

Put the cables and remote in the case labeled with your name. All connected cables should be included: VGA, HDMI, audio, and/or Ethernet. (You do not have to bag these cables.)
Leave the case next to your box.

Document camera:

Put the power cable and any remote and/or remote holder you might have into the small zip-top bag or red draw string bag that came with it.
Put it all in your box.

TV:

Coil the cables neatly and either magnet them to the back of the TV or tuck them in on the cart. Place the remote on the cart shelf.
Leave your TV in your room.
⚠️Note the TV # on the Tech Check form.

Apple TV:

Put the device, power cable and remote in the zip-top bag with your name on it.
Put it all in your box.

Staff Laptop/Chromebook:

All laptops need to be checked in this summer - don’t forget the power module!
Everything’s been too scattered for the last couple of years. I need them all in place so we can start fresh next year.
If you want to check out a laptop for the summer, fill out the Summer Laptop request form before June 21, 2022
Put it all in your box.

iPad:

Turn it in WITH THE POWER BLOCK AND CHARGING CABLE. The cable should be labeled identifying which iPad it belongs to. If you find any others when cleaning up, please return them to me as well.
Be sure to turn off any restrictions you've added, remove any passcode and sign out of iCloud and Find My iPad.
Put it all in your box.
If you want to check it out for the summer, you need to fill out the Summer Checkout form and have me or Tiffany sign it BEFORE YOU LEAVE FOR THE SUMMER.

Desktop:

If you are using a desktop computer as your main classroom device, leave it in your classroom, even if you are changing classrooms. If you will be changing classrooms, either José or I will move the computer.

Student Devices:

Turn in any small device sets along with your classroom tech.
Be sure to include all power supplies, iPad charging stations and headsets/headphones.
Put as much of it in your box as will fit.
Keep your Lil Gadgets headphones in your classroom.

Digital Camera:

Put the device, battery charger, SD card and sync cable in its zip-top bag.
Turn it in to the library.

External Disc Drive:

Put the device in its pouch.
Turn it in to the library.

Bring your items to the Equipment Collection table in the Library during your reserved time slot and we will get everything processed.

Let me know if you have any questions or concerns about the form, the process, the timing, anything.

Tech Update #3b - Addendum

21-09-07

Hello Everyone,

This is both an addendum and there's also a very good chance this will be the last pre-school tech update.

Phones

I started checking port usage on Friday, but a fair few rooms still seemed to be in transition, so that's been rescheduled for Tuesday afternoon. Remember, at the end of the day have your phone, computer, projector, etc. where you want them and I'll make sure they're connected to the network.

Ladibug Software

Lumens' suggestion for removing the brand mark - installing the MontiVision license registration - doesn't seem to work. Multiple ITs have tried it and we'll continue to pursue it. In the meantime, your options for removing that brand mark are as follows:

Leave it
Let me know you want it fixed and wait for me to come
Use the installed 2.0 version of the software
Uninstall the current version > download and install the previous version of the software (3.0.2)

Chromebooks

I still need to deliver chromebooks to classrooms. I know which ones are going where to start off, but there will probably be some shuffling once all the chromebooks have come in. The plan at this point is assign chromebooks to every student, but they'll generally live at school in the class carts.

The process of getting the carts fully set up will happen in stages and there might be chromebook shuffling as well as cart shuffling, depending. There's a lot about what's going to happen and when that's still up in the air. so please be patient as we work it out.

Families have been directed to send chromebooks back to school with their students. When you have a full class set of chromebooks will depend entirely on the rate at which your families return their chromebooks. I strongly recommend that you don't plan any full-class chromebook activities for at least the first two weeks - aside from the need to review tech use guidelines and to collect tech use agreements from all our students, I can't promise that you'll have a full class set and a fully wired cart any faster than that.

Paraeducators

Each of you has an assigned chromebook. They're lined up on the shelf at the top of the bleachers in the library. Your chromebook has your last name on it and a power module as well.

Finally

Remember that previous and future tech update emails can be found on the Tech Center website for quick and easy reference. Until then, let me know if you have any questions or concerns.

Tech Update #3

21-09-02

Hey Everyone,

I'm thinking this'll be the second-to-last tech update before the student school year starts. Fingers crossed!

Phones

I will be going through classrooms at the end of the day on Friday to check port usage, especially phones. Make sure that you've got your phone parked where you want it by then if you want it to be working and showing your name come Tuesday.

I also recommend you sign into your voice mailbox and make sure your message and name are correct. Here are instructions for claiming your mailbox.

TVs / Projectors

All the TVs from last year have been distributed. If you now have a TV in your room but you also have a projector, please either return your projector to me or let me know that you no longer want the TV.

Alexis, Kristi, Gibelle, Christine
You will be getting TVs, but yours are the new TVs still in boxes by my office. I have someone coming to help me put them together tomorrow, so I'm hoping to get them to you before the end of the day. If not, certainly by Friday. You get the longer wait because you've used one before so hopefully have a better idea of how to set up your classroom around what you don't yet have.

Apple Devices

I have delivered requested iPads and AppleTVs. I still have a good supply, so let me know if/when you decide you want one.

MacBooks

I'm working on the image, but it's coming slowly with everything going on and I likely won't finish it till this weekend. If you turned your MacBook in over the summer and would like to use it now and turn it back in again once I've got the image done, go ahead and collect it from the stack on the presentation cart outside my office - just let me know that you did so I don't freak out!

Software Issues

Zoom

It turns out I may have left myself signed into Zoom on my Rosemont image after updating the software. *sigh* It's hard to get good help. I think I caught it on the Trillium image, but you might want to check. If I didn't catch it, you'll want to sign me out and sign yourself in before you do anything serious with the program.

Ladibug

The latest version of the Ladibug software has a brand mark in the upper left of the window. If this bothers you, I think you'll have some options, but I have to run one more test tomorrow and then I'll let you know how many you have.

Chromebook Carts

If you want to park it in your classroom, let me know. If you want to park it on your porch, remember that between the carts and the printers, we're putting a strain on the power grid, so furniture needs to be arranged around the carts, not the other way around. For now, assume all wall outlets on the porch are needed for cart charging and leave space - both on the floor and on the wall.

I'm hoping I'll be able to send an addendum to this email tomorrow with more information about the what and where of cart setup and assignments. Stay tuned!

Paraeducator Devices

You guys will be getting chromebooks this year to use as personal devices. I don't have them ready as yet, but I wanted to let you know they will be ready for you at Tuesday's training day (hopefully before!) and I'll let you know where to pick them up.

Finally

Remember that previous and future tech update emails can be found on the Tech Center website for quick and easy reference. Until then, let me know if you have any questions or concerns.

Tech Update #2 - Week 2

21-08-27

Hey Everyone,

Y'all are still officially on break, but I did want to keep you updated. There are instructions in here as well, so don't skim so fast that you miss them. :)

Summer Checkouts

Remember that any equipment you checked out over the summer is due back to me on Tuesday, August 31. If you need something to use for the professional development events that week we can work something out, but you will still need to check your equipment in.

The Dell/Windows images are ready to go - so bring 'em on!

Your Equipment

I delivered boxes to all the classrooms today, so your technology is there waiting for you - with some exceptions.

The boxes do not, of course, contain any devices checked out for the summer
I am still working on turned-in MacBooks
I am keeping iPads and AppleTVs - see Other Equipment below
The TV deployment plan changed halfway through the day, so some of you are still missing your projector - see Other Equipment below
Student equipment has not been prepped or deployed

Presentation Station

Now that you have your equipment, go ahead and set up your presentation station. Let me know if you want me to walk you through the setup. Otherwise, I'll check your work when I swing through to record port usage. Based on past performance, I expect most of you will be completely successful. :

Remember, if you know how to set everything up then you've got the skills you need to troubleshoot when something goes wrong.

Bankers Box
Once you're done, please return the bankers box to my office, so I can break it down and store it till we need it in the spring. Do not keep it in your room and use it for extra storage. Do keep the iPad, AppleTV and Doc Cam bags to use again in the spring (if it were me, I would keep 'em all in the projector bag).

Other Equipment

iPads & AppleTVs

If you would like to use an iPad and/or AppleTV this year, let me know.

TVs

The priorities for TV deployment are as follows:

light-saturated classrooms
teachers who haven't used a TV yet
teachers who have

Let me know if you would like a TV this year and which category you fall in. You have till the end of the school day on Aug 31.

Cart Locations

You have two options for cart locations: in your room or on your porch.

For now, assume all wall outlets on the porch are needed for cart charging and leave space - both on the floor and on the wall.

Contacting Me

Finally, again, how to reach out to your friendly neighborhood IT. I carry my phone on me at all times but not all lines of communication are created equal when it comes to contacting me.

Email - Emailing me is your best bet, as I can answer an email even if I'm in a meeting or working in a classroom full of students. I also can still get email even when I can't get cell calls or texts.
Tekmee - Tekmee tickets are another great way of getting tech help. All the ITs have access to them so you're tapping into a huge wealth of knowledge. Also, when you submit a ticket, I get an email alerting me to it - two birds, one stone!
Phone - I have a personal extension (x7076) that's a direct in-dialing number, so you can call 503-673-7076 and both schools have IT extensions (TCPS - x5966, RRMS - x5594). Feel free to use whichever one works best for you. Calls via my extension connect differently and in such a way that I often get better reception than with calls to my cell number.
Text - None of the extensions above recieve texts. To text me, all you have to do is put my email address in the "To" field. Be sure and include your name in the text because otherwise "who is this?" is going to be one of my first questions.
- If you tell me to text you and give me your mobile number, I will use a carrier lookup website and a carrier email domain website to figure out what your cell phone's carrier and therefore email address is. I will then text you from Google Mail.
- My mobile phone is configured to block texts from numbers not already in my contacts list. So if you get my mobile number from anyone other than me, I'm not going to receive anything you text me.

My email signature has my contact info in it for future reference.

Finally

Tech Update #1 - Welcome

21-08-18

Hey all!

I hope you have enjoyed your summer so far and have plans to enjoy the last few weeks to their fullest. I just wanted to give you a heads-up about what'll be happening with tech over the next few weeks. There are instructions in there as well, so don't skim so fast that you miss them. :)

Summer Checkouts

My Plan

Monday was my first day back after the summer break and I got everything pulled out of storage and staged for processing. I'm currently working on updating computer images. Next I'll reimage computers, unbox new stuff, process new stuff, update firmware on projectors and document cameras, update the operating system on the AppleTVs, and charge and configure iPads ... among other things.

There are many factors that will influence whether things get done or not. Some of them are within my control, some are within your control and some are outside everybody's control. Ultimately, there is and will be a lot of equipment scattered around the Water Porch. I am working on and I will be delivering it to you. Please resist the temptation to "help" me by picking your equipment up - I won't actually find that helpful at all. :)

Your Equipment

Cart Locations

I haven't yet gone through the school and put up the signs indicating where carts live. For now, please assume all wall outlets on the porches are needed for cart charging and leave space - both on the floor and on the wall. Between the carts and the printers, we're putting a strain on the power grid, so furniture needs to be arranged around them, not the other way around.

Contacting Me

Finally, how to reach out to your friendly neighborhood IT. I carry my phone on me at all times but not all lines of communication are created equal when it comes to contacting me.

Email - Emailing me is your best bet, as I can answer an email even if I'm in a meeting or working in a classroom full of students. I also can still get email even when I can't get cell calls or texts.
Tekmee - Tekmee tickets are another great way of getting tech help. All the ITs have access to them so you're tapping into a huge wealth of knowledge. Also, when you submit a ticket, I get an email alerting me to it - two birds, one stone!
- I have a personal extension (x7076) that's a direct in-dialing number, so you can call 503-673-7076** and both schools have IT extensions (TCPS - x5966, RRMS - x5594). Feel free to use whichever one works best for you. Calls via my extension connect differently and in such a way that I often get better reception than with calls to my cell number.
- **There is a halfway decent chance that my extension will change this year. In that event, I will let you all know.
Text - None of the extensions above recieve texts. To text me, all you have to do is put my email address in the "To" field. Be sure and include your name in the text because otherwise "who is this?" is going to be one of my first questions.
- If you tell me to text you and give me your mobile number, I will use a carrier lookup website and a carrier email domain website to figure out what your cell phone's carrier and therefore email address is. I will then text you from Google Mail.
- My mobile phone is configured to block texts from numbers not already in my contacts list. So if you get my mobile number from anyone other than me, I'm not going to receive anything you text me.

My email signature has my contact info in it for future reference.

Finally

So, that's what's happening with tech over the next few weeks. I'll email you again (emails will also be posted to the Tech Center website for quick and easy reference) before you start with updates and/or further details regarding your equipment. Until then, let me know if you have any questions or concerns and enjoy the last weeks of your summer!

Tech Collection - Special Edition

21-06-01

Hey All,

There are some specifics for you guys who are not the usual classroom-type teacher.

Paraeducators:
You guys will be turning in your devices without boxes – I don’t have enough! If you just have the one laptop feel free to drop it off on the equipment collection table (along with the power module) whenever it's convenient. If you have presentation equipment checked out to you as well (doc cam, projector, etc.) then please reserve a time slot to participate in the full checkout process.

Music: John and James
You each have a box with your name on it and you are responsible for your presentation station as well as personal-type devices - laptops, iPads, etc. Your external disc drives can go in your box as well. Note: I don’t think either of you ended up with presentation equipment this year, but I wanted to cover my bases.

Wellness: Garrett
You have a box with your name on it, but it is only for your personal-type devices - laptops, iPads, etc. You are not responsible for breaking down the gym presentation station. I have already collected it and will be taking care of any breaking down that is necessary.

Library: Erica, Trish and Tracey
Each school has a box labeled Library. This box is for personal-type devices only. Tracey, your box still/already contains the catalog search laptops. You are not responsible for breaking down the library presentation stations. I have already collected them and will be taking care of any breaking down that is necessary.

Student Services: Diane/Katie/Kim/Lauren/Lisa/Tracy/Melinda/Erin/Lindsay and Kristie/Susan/Izzy/Erin
Each school has a box labeled Resource – Lowrie also has a Title box. This box is for your department’s personal-type devices; if you can fit your student devices in as well, feel free. Lauren and Tracy, I’m planning to create a box for the two of you - your external disc drives can go in there as well. Let me know if another box or two will be necessary to also help contain the various presentation devices y’all have as well.

Kitchen: Alicia and Joe
Each school has a box labeled Kitchen. It currently contains any of the devices you didn’t end up using this year. I’ll be delivering it to you and any equipment you are currently using can be added to that box as well. I will take care of storing everything and returning it in the fall. You’re responsible for any devices that remain stored in your space.

Office: Sarita/Nancy/Carmen/Soraya/Mishelle/Jan and Kate/Christina/Catherine/Sue/Kara/Sarah
Each school has a box labeled Office. This is box is for any IA, Conference Room, Office, HelpCounter, and personal-type laptops and/or iPads assigned to various people/areas in and around the main office. It still/already contain any of those devices that we didn’t end up using this year. I’ll be delivering it to the you and any equipment you are currently using can be added to the box as well. Please fill out Summer Check-Out forms for any devices you’re planning to keep over the summer.

Let me know if you have any questions or concerns.

Tech Update #5

20-10-15

Hey All,

Below is a collection of updates/recommendation/suggestions - things we've learned since the beginning of the year that might be useful to you.

Start menu

Program shortcuts have been removed from the desktop and task bar in favor of storing them in the Start Menu. Access the start menu by clicking the WINDOWS button in the bottom left of your screen or tapping the WINDOWS button on your keyboard.

Win 10

I forgot to update the 3380 image with the current Windows 10 activation license. If you have an "Activate Windows" message watermarking the bottom right of your screen, follow these steps:

Type Activation Settings in the search bar in the bottom left.
Click Change product key
Paste this in: 6YNCF-BM8M8-GB467-9X3YX-BKPRK

Parent email

Create custom email groups in GroupWise to make emailing more efficient.

Open Address Book
Select the book you want the group to live it (it should be a book that's checked in Name Completion Address Books)
New > Group
Give it a name > Add
Change "Look in" to match whatever address book you want to add people from
Select people or groups from the list on the left and tap To, CC or BC on the right to add
1. If you're adding your Cohort groups to an All Parents type of group, they can be added as To - all the parents are BC-ed in the Cohort groups
Save and Close

Zoom Sessions

Things that might help Zoom sessions proceed better:

Check the "Share Computer audio" when showing a video
Consider checking "Optimize screen sharing for video clip"
Use the side-by-side setting - puts the gallery in the window with what's being shared as opposed to floating on top
Sign into Novell Messenger (using Network/Cloud credentials) to chat with hosts/co-hosts in breakout rooms

Doc Cam in Zoom

There are different ways of connecting your doc cam to your Zoom session and to be able to switch between them depending on the circumstances will be a valuable skill.

Doc cam options:

share your screen and use the ladibug software
Share Screen > Advanced > Share content from a second camera
switch your camera to the doc camera (Video > Lumens)
share your screen the usual way > New Share > share content from a second camera
use a USB web cam on a tripod and point it down
set your iPad to point at whatever you want to show > share the iPad screen (Share Screen > iPad/iPhone) > use the iPad camera

Signing into Zoom

Many of you still have students joining your participants list with (Guest) after their name. This is an indication that that participant is not fully signed into their Zoom account. Here are the instructions for signing into the Zoom app:

Open the Zoom app
Click "Sign In"
Click "Sign in with SSO"
Click "I do not know the company domain"
Sign into Google account (if/when prompted)

These instructions work on a Chromebook, on a MacBook, on a Dell, on everything I've tried it on.

Florida Virtual

The content in Florida Virtual comes surrounded by a couple of frames that result in informational bars at the top and bottom that take up a lot of screen real estate. We have no control over them; it's on the Florida Virtual/Buzz end of things.

Here are some things that might help:

Use Florida Virtual/Buzz fullscreen - F11 on a laptop, "F4" on a chromebook
Zoom in or out of the Chrome window - Ctrl+, Ctrl-
Make sure you're scrolling in the right place
- If the cursor is over to the far right, you'll scroll the outer frame, which will extend the lower Objectives box
- If the cursor is over the activity itself, or at least over the background of the activity, then you'll scroll the inner frame, which is the main content

Redbird

Earlier this fall, students (maybe teachers, too) had a message on the Redbird launch window that "This product has expired. Please contact your teacher." While we were working to resolve whatever caused the message to appear, the content was still available, so students could just click Launch and proceed as normal.

It happened once, it could happen again.

MAP

Your best tool for getting kids ready for MAP is NWEA's Device Readiness Checker which walks the end-user through the process: https://teach.mapnwea.org/impl/maptraining/DeviceReadiness/story.html

You, the teacher, can use it to look up solutions by opening the Menu in the top right and choosing the device- or browser-specific solution that fits the situation.

It's very easy to reset the resolution or change the keyboard or accidentally move the test session login window to the back, so the following are not one-and-done fixes.

Pop-ups

So far, no one has yet had pop-ups actually blocked. If it actually happened, an error icon would show up in the address bar and the student should follow the correct "Oops, no login" instructions. What has been the answer in 95% of the situations I've helped with is that the Test Session login window is behind the Oops, No Login window. Click on the Chrome icon and choose Test Session login to bring that window to the front.

Resolution

The resolution has been the problem in the other situations.

Ctrl+Shift+0 (zero) will reset the chromebook's resolution to the default.
On a Windows or Mac laptop, the student should follow the instructions in the readiness checker.
Ctrl+Shift+0 will not work on a chromebook if they've accidentally changed the keyboard. Check down by the time. If it doesn't say US, open the system tray, click on the Keyboard bubble, and switch it to US.

Chromebook Troubleshooting

Restart the chromebook
Restart the chromebook using the REFRESH+POWER key combo (refresh is the circle arrow in the F3 spot)
Use headphones
Use headphones with a built-in mic
Use USB headphones with a built-in mic
Video mute for a few seconds, then come back
Move closer to the router, then restart
Plug directly into the router/modem

For best results, kids should be restarting their chromebooks at least once a week. And, like I tell the kids, "if you're not clicking the words Shut Down, you're not actually shutting it down". Closing the lid and letting it go into hibernation mode is not the same thing.

Device identifiers

I'm in the process of collecting screenshots as reference so you can identify what device a student is using when they share their screens. I'll send those out when I have them all nice and tidy.

Contacting Me

I've done some research and discovered there are a couple of contact/communication options I wasn't previously aware of.

Remember the usual options: email, tekmee tickets, my work number (503.673.7076)
Also remember, my mobile phone is configured to block texts from numbers not already in my contacts list. So if you got my mobile number from anyone other than me, I'm not going to receive anything you text me.

!! Here's the new bit !!

There is a way we can communicate via text. When you go to text me, instead of entering a phone number, enter my email address. Be sure and include your name in the text because otherwise "who is this?" is going to be one of my first questions.
If you tell me to text you and give me your mobile number, I will look your number up on this website - https://phonecarriercheck.com/ - and use a list like this - https://support.teamunify.com/en/articles/227-email-to-sms-gateway-list - to figure out what your cell phone's email address is. I will then text you from GroupWise.

My email signature has my contact info in it for future reference.

As always, let me know if you have any questions or concerns.

P.S. I'm in the process of making changes to that Tech Trainings page on the website so it includes a blog section with my tech updates. This email as well as similar future emails will be posted there once I've got it set up.

Tech Update #4

20-09-02

Greetings All,

Okay, the beginning of the year rush events are starting to wind down. I'm hoping this will be the last Tech Update for a while, but you know what they say about plans and making God laugh...

Paraeducator Devices (Paraeducators)

Again, if I know your name and know you'll be at Trillium this year, you have a laptop with your name on it waiting on the bottom step of the library bleachers. You do not have to claim it. However, they will not be sitting out for forever. At some point within the next couple of weeks, I'll collect them and stack them by my office. But your laptop will still be your laptop; if you decide later you need it, let me know.

Teacher Devices (Teachers)

If you want to use an iPad or doc cam this year, please let me know and I'll prep it and put it in your box. If you're requesting a doc cam, please let me know if you need the USB cable that connects it to your laptop. If you do not tell me you need one, I'll assume you picked one up in the spring and it's already in the red bag.

Also, if you left your laptop to be reimaged and it did not come back to you with a webcam cover installed, please let me know. Things have been moving so fast, I'm afraid some might have slipped by me...

Two Screens (mostly Teachers)

I've started to get requests for second laptops. I gather this is so you can set up a dual-screen-type situation.

First, yes, I can get you a second laptop to do this. It will be an older student laptop with a teacher image on it and I need another couple of days to update the image - I didn't think I'd be needing it this year.

Second, another option is actually just a second monitor and I have a fair number of those as well. This will have the benefit of operating as the same device as your laptop, so no need to join a Zoom meeting twice or do similar shenanigans.

Third, there are keyboard shortcuts that make switching between active programs or active windows pretty quick and seamless and I can show them to you if you'd prefer to stick with one device and retain as much of your available desk surface area as possible.

Web Resources (Everybody)

The For Staff section of the website has been updated to the best of my knowledge and includes links to Florida Virtual, Synergy, Frontline, etc. I will continue updating this page as resources become available or known to me.

To see this section, you have to sign into the Trillium Creek website.

Click Sign In in the top right corner
Use your full email address as your username and your cloud/network password as your password
Voila! the For Staff channel will appear

Sign-In Information (mostly Everybody)

GroupWise

If you're happy with webaccess GroupWise, keep using it, but the GroupWise client is available for you to use at home.

The trick is, you need to change the Online Address field in the full sign-in window. Refer to this page - https://www.wlwv.k12.or.us/gwhelp - for what to put in that field.

This page also includes alternate links to webaccess, so try using one or the other if you're having trouble signing in.

Synergy

I think Kate's already gone over this, but here it is again...

There is a Synergy training video in MediaCAST that will give you an intro to TeacherVUE. Instructions on signing into Synergy are at the end of the training video. Synergy is different enough from Schoolmaster that an orientation before signing in is beneficial.

Parent Email List (Teachers)

The old method of setting up your parent email lists will not work right now. It depended on a file exported from Schoolmaster. We don't know yet if a similar export is possible from Synergy. In the meantime, there is an email option within Synergy. Kate sent out instructions earlier. This is the only real way to email parents at this time, but the kinks are still being ironed out, so please expect some unexpected results.

I've been told that settings are being changed so when parents go to reply it's an email directly to your GroupWise inbox. So Synergy would be how you initiate the email thread, but not how you contribute to/maintain it.

**Alternative 1) You can always set up an address book and distribution list in GroupWise manually. You'll have to create contacts for each parent and add them individually to your distribution list, so that would be more work, but you'll have the setup you're used to. Alternative 2) is the online Mail Merge utility. That requires you set up an Excel spreadsheet with the contact information, but it'll work.

I've attached template files for reference. Both should be opened in Excel, no matter what your computer might think.

Follow Up (Everybody)

I have not intentionally not gotten back to anyone. However, things have been moving fast and I've gotten a lot of email every day.

Please, if I haven't answered your question, or I haven't emailed you to let you know your stuff is ready for pick-up, or if you requested something that you haven't yet received ... reach out to me again. Let me know.

I will not feel nagged; I will feel reminded. I also should have enough breathing room to be able to forward requests to my digital to-do list so I don't lose track of them again!

Contacting Me (Everybody)

Finally, how to reach out to your friendly neighborhood IT. I carry my phone on me at all times but not all lines of communication are created equal when it comes to contacting me.

Emailing me is your best bet, as I will be on my computer almost constantly once the pre-school year frantic settles down.
Tekmee tickets are another great way of getting tech help. All the ITs have access to them so you're tapping into a huge wealth of knowledge. Also, when you submit a ticket, I get an email alerting me to it - two birds, one stone!
I have a personal extension (x7076) that's a direct in-dialing number, so you can call 503-673-7076. I've tried to set it up so it'll ring my mobile phone and also ring through to my computer. However, this number does not receive text messages.
Not only that, my mobile phone is configured to block texts from numbers not already in my contacts list. So if you got my mobile number from anyone other than me, I'm not going to receive anything you text me.

My email signature has my contact info in it for future reference.

As always, let me know if you have any questions or concerns.

Tech Update #3b

20-08-26

Hey All,

More information on tech stuff at the beginning, highlights on new stuff in the middle and less urgent stuff at the end.

Teacher Tech

Any tech that was turned in to me before 4:00pm today has been reimaged, labeled/re-labeled, upgraded and otherwise dealt with. If I had your tech for any reason, it's now in your box on the library bleacher steps.

If you turn in your stuff to be reimaged after this, my plan/goal is to email you when it's ready to be picked up ... in your box on the bleacher steps.

When you come in to pick up your tech, please take your tech and leave the box behind - don't take the box! If you do take the box in a fit of forgetfulness, please bring it back!

Paraeducators

Your laptops have been reimaged and relabeled and are waiting for you on the bottom step of the library bleachers. You do not have to take yours if you don't want to, but it's available for you.

I am not promising you that this laptop will necessarily be an improvement upon any personal laptop you might have been using. It will absolutely be an improvement upon a chromebooks, however.

Summer Checkouts

If you checked a device out for the summer that you would like to use this year, please drop it off on the table across from the check-out desk in the designated stack.

If you checked a device out for the summer that you no longer need, please drop it off on the table across from the check-out desk in the designated stack.

There are signs indicating where the two stacks (return, reimaging) are, but as a back-up, please put a sticky note on your device with your name and what you would like done to it.

There are loaners available if you need something to use in the interim. Please note your name and which laptop you're taking.

New This Year

GroupWise - The GroupWise client for Windows has been updated and the logo is different. Look for the blue envelope/checkbox in the top left corner of the start menu.

Synergy - A link to Synergy has been added to the For Staff section of the Trillium Creek website. Remember, you have to sign into the website before this section becomes visible.

FuelEd & FloridaVirtual - Placeholder links for FuelEd and FloridaVirtual have been added to the For Staff section as well. As soon as I have the real links, those placeholders will go live.

Tech Sessions

I'm still doing basic beginning-of-the-year stuff, but I'm looking ahead to when that rush slows down.

Please let me know if you would like me to provide something similar to last spring's Tech Sessions and if so, what topics you are interested it. (Please offer more than just FuelEd or FloridaVirtual...)

Contacting Me

Finally, how to reach out to your friendly neighborhood IT. I carry my phone on me at all times but not all lines of communication are created equal when it comes to contacting me.

Emailing me is your best bet, as I will be on my computer almost constantly once the pre-school year frantic settles down.
Tekmee tickets are another great way of getting tech help. All the ITs have access to them so you're tapping into a huge wealth of knowledge. Also, when you submit a ticket, I get an email alerting me to it - two birds, one stone!
I have a personal extension (x7076) that's a direct in-dialing number, so you can call 503-673-7076. It'll ring my mobile phone, but it'll also ring through to my computer. However, this number does not receive text messages.

My email signature has my contact info in it for future reference.

As always, let me know if you have any questions or concerns. See y'all soon!

Tech Update #3 (short)

20-08-25

Hey All,

Short version: most tech is in the library and ready for pick-up.

Teacher Tech

Teachers, if I have tech to return to you, your box is on the bleachers in the library.

Paraeducators

I was not able to finish prepping your laptops, but I will be able to finish them up tomorrow.

Reimaging/Return

The reimaging/return table is set up and ready for you to use. Please pay attention to the signage.

I was not able to finish prepping loaner laptops, so if you can't be without your laptop for at least a full day, possibly two, go ahead and wait. I'll let you know when there are loaners available.

That's all for now!

Tech Update #2

20-08-24

Hey All,

It's been a while, so I wanted to let you know how things are going.

Your Stuff

I'm not quite ready for you to pick up your tech yet, but I'm close.

The images are ready to go and if things go right over the next couple of days, all the laptops should be ready to go by the end of Tuesday. At that point, we'll just be waiting for the webcam covers to arrive in the mail so I can "install" them on the laptops.

I will send an email when the tech is ready to be picked up.

Devices

If you turned in a laptop in the spring (either Dell or MacBook), it will be in the box unless you let me know that you no longer need it.

If you turned in an iPad in the spring, it will be in the box only if you let me know you want to use it this year. Cables will be included with the iPad only if you turned them in in the spring as well.

Tech Pick-Up

When I have your tech ready to go, I'll put it all in your bankers box and put it on the library bleachers. I will then email everyone that tech is available for pick-up.

You will come in, take your tech out of the box and leave the box behind. Do not take the box with you!

If you happen to be in the building before I send that email out and if you see your equipment, please just pretend it isn't there. I have a system and a process and I'm working through both as quickly and as thoroughly as I can. I will not find it helpful if I suddenly have equipment go missing.

Summer Checkouts

If you checked a device out for the summer that you would like to use this year, please drop it off on the table across from the check-out desk.

If you checked a device out for the summer that you no longer need, please drop it off on the table across from the check-out desk.

There will be signs indicating where the two stacks (return, reimaging) are, but as a back-up, please put a sticky note on your device with your name and what you would like done to it.

Tech Sessions

I'm still doing basic beginning-of-the-year stuff, but I'm looking ahead to when that rush slows down.

Contacting Me

Finally, how to reach out to your friendly neighborhood IT. I carry my phone on me at all times but not all lines of communication are created equal when it comes to contacting me.

Emailing me is your best bet, as I will be on my computer almost constantly once the pre-school year frantic settles down.
Tekmee tickets are another great way of getting tech help. All the ITs have access to them so you're tapping into a huge wealth of knowledge. Also, when you submit a ticket, I get an email alerting me to it - two birds, one stone!
I have a personal extension (x7076) that's a direct in-dialing number, so you can call 503-673-7076. It'll ring my mobile phone, but it'll also ring through to my computer. However, this number does not receive text messages.

My email signature has my contact info in it for future reference.

As always, let me know if you have any questions or concerns. See y'all soon!

Tech Update #1

20-08-13

Hey All,

Monday was my first day back after the summer break and I've got stuff out of summer storage, got all the new stuff out of the various corners it got stashed in and got everything spread out around the porch outside my office. As I dig in to get everything ready, I wanted to let you know what's going on with tech.

Your Stuff

Nothing's ready at this point - just to be clear.

However, prepping teacher devices is one of my two main priorities at this time. Right now, that means laptops and iPads and I'm hard at work on that as we speak. I'm currently planning on providing the tech for any of you who will be teaching in the online program this fall.

Paraeducators, the plan is to prep laptops for you guys as well. If you took a chromebook home in the spring, this will be an opportunity for you to trade up.

I will let you know when stuff is ready to be picked up and give you pick-up details at that time.

Summer Checkouts

Don't worry about turning stuff in by Tuesday, August 25. You will still want your laptop/iPad reimaged this fall and I will start to nag people at some point, but I don't know yet how I'll coordinate reimaging.

When I've got images ready, I'll let you know and we'll work it out

**I have no plans at this time to prepare a Mac image. I will follow-up with those of you who have one to make sure that Symantec is installed, otherwise, what you have is what you have.

Student Stuff

The other main priority for me right now is prepping chromebooks and chromebook power cables for distribution. That mostly just involves clipping zipties and unraveling power cables and putting them in boxes.

Feedback

Online program teachers: please let me know if you do not need me to provide you with tech equipment.

Teachers: please let me know if you would like an iPad this year.

Everyone: please let me know if you would like me to provide something similar to last spring's Tech Sessions and if so, what topics you are interested it. (Please offer more than just FuelEd or FloridaVirtual...)

Other Schools

A couple of you have asked me why teachers at other schools already have their new computers. There are two reasons for this.

One: A couple of the field ITs are 12-month employees, so they work all summer, so they have access to the new equipment first and time to work on it.

Two: This summer, many of the 10-month field ITs chose to come in and work extra hours. That gave them access to the new equipment early and time to work on it.

There were a couple of us who chose not to take advantage of the offer of extra hours. As much as I love all of you and want to do my best for you, the extra money and head start weren't worth it to me to give up any more of my summer break than I was already losing.

Contacting Me

Finally, how to reach out to your friendly neighborhood IT. I carry my phone on me at all times but not all lines of communication are created equal when it comes to contacting me.

Emailing me is your best bet, as I will be on my computer almost constantly once the pre-school year frantic settles down.
Tekmee tickets are another great way of getting tech help. All the ITs have access to them so you're tapping into a huge wealth of knowledge. Also, when you submit a ticket, I get an email alerting me to it - two birds, one stone!
I have a personal extension (x7076) that's a direct in-dialing number, so you can call 503-673-7076. It'll ring my mobile phone, but it'll also ring through to my computer. However, this number does not receive text messages.

My email signature has my contact info in it for future reference.

That should be enough to get you started. As always, let me know if you have any questions or concerns. See y'all soon!